PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Stefanie Lader
Communications Specialist
(216) 321-5935 x 228
lader@shakerlakes.org
Tom Mendenhall
Communications Intern
(216) 321-5935 x 221
mendenhall@shakerlakes.org
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes Named Circle of 10 Winner at Ceremony, Nov. 15
Nature Center Honored for Achievement in
"Engaging the Next Generation of Supporters"
CLEVELAND (Nov. 21) – The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes (NCSL) was
named the recipient of BrownFlynn's Circle of 10 award on Wednesday,
Nov. 15 at a special ceremony at Cuyahoga Community College's Corporate
College.
The Circle of 10 initiative was created in celebration of
BrownFlynn's 10th anniversary and honors exceptional non-profit
organizations in Cleveland that are passionate about their missions and
work creatively to engage the next generation of supporters. Each of
the finalists was encouraged to increase volunteer participation,
create innovative communication strategies and programming, and
encourage online giving.
The Nature Center was selected as one of ten finalists for the
Circle of 10 in March. As part of Circle of 10, The Nature Center stood
in esteemed company with exceptional non-profits who "do good and do
well" throughout our community including Artists Archives of the
Western Reserve, Cleveland Bridge Builders, Cleveland Public Art,
Consortium of African American Organizations, Entrepreneurs for
Sustainability, The Littlest Heroes, Museum of Contemporary Art
Cleveland, ParkWorks, and Shoes and Clothes for Kids.
Over several months of competition, NCSL staff entwined annual
signature events with inventive ideas targeted at new audiences and
aimed at achieving Circle of 10's philosophy of engaging the "next
generation of supporters."
"Every staff person and many volunteers were responsible for the
creativity and discipline that resulted in the success of all of our
activities." said Steve Cadwell, executive director. "Our thanks go to
BrownFlynn for catalyzing the challenge, to our competitors for raising
the bar, and most of all to our members, new and old, whose enthusiasm
and support make all the difference in our successes."
Over the course of the contest the Nature Center raised more than
$60,000 and added dozens of volunteers and donors to its support list.
In total, the ten Brown Flynn organizations raised nearly half a
million dollars in donations.
Programs which led to the Nature Center's success included Celebrate
the Earth and Enchanted Forest; A Bug Bash benefit; service-learning
and hands-on volunteer projects of pulling invasive plant species and
planting native species; planning a stewardship center made entirely of
sustainable materials (coming in 2007); overhauling its website;
creating the Shaker Lakes Runners Club; and Mixer on the Marsh, Family
Fun in the Forest and its Garlic Mustard Pestival—a low-priced benefit
dinner where guests enjoyed pesto-pasta made from the ever-invasive
Garlic Mustard plant, spreading across the Nature Center's forest floor.
In addition to a generous grand prize, the Nature Center will
receive many in-kind services that will be enlisted immediately to
fulfill its mission to connect, conserve and inspire. This honor comes
concurrent with the Nature Center's 40th anniversary year.
The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes conserves a natural area, connects
people with nature and inspires environmental stewardship. For
additional information on the Nature Center's programs, services,
offerings or events call (216) 321-5935 or visit www.ShakerLakes.org.
Explore Nature Inside & Out!
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Trails are open from dawn till dusk
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
2600 South Park Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44120
216-321-5935
www.shakerlakes.org
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